Updated December 2016
The Next Generation Spaceships
On May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard crammed into a small space capsule for a launch into Space in what became known as the “Man in the can” space travel. But times have changed, starting in 2018 four Astronauts will start boarding both the Boeing CST-100 Starliner Spacecraft and the Space X Dragon Spacecraft for flights to and from the orbiting International Space Station.
Once the Space Ships are operational they will carry inaddition to the four Astronauts 220 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station, for mission durations of 7 months.
Current plans for the Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser mini shuttle are to deliver only cargo to International Space Station.
The Boeing Space CST-100 Starliner Spacecraft
Once the Space Ships are operational they will carry inaddition to the four Astronauts 220 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station, for mission durations of 7 months.
Current plans for the Sierra Nevada Dream Chaser mini shuttle are to deliver only cargo to International Space Station.
The Boeing Space CST-100 Starliner Spacecraft
The Interior of the Boeing Space CST-100 Starliner Spacecraft
Space X’s Dragon Crew Spaceship
The Interior of Space X’s Dragon Crew Spaceship
International Space Station - 2010
Air Force's Secret X-37B Space Plane
As of December 2016, a secret X-37B Space Plane is orbiting the Earth on its 4th Space mission. It was launched from Cape Canaveral Florida on May 20, 2015. Apart form it secret agenda, the X-37B space plane is exploring reusable space vehicle technologies and advance materials investigation. Some day it may be converted to a Spacecraft that will launch and return people from Earth orbit.
As of December 2016, a secret X-37B Space Plane is orbiting the Earth on its 4th Space mission. It was launched from Cape Canaveral Florida on May 20, 2015. Apart form it secret agenda, the X-37B space plane is exploring reusable space vehicle technologies and advance materials investigation. Some day it may be converted to a Spacecraft that will launch and return people from Earth orbit.
The first X-37B Space Plane returned to Earth after 15 months in orbit on a Mystery Mission. This landing occurred at California’s Vandenberg Air Force Base June 2012.
